As Vision 2020, the City’s Comprehensive Waterfront Plan recognizes, New York City has always faced risks from severe storms and coastal flooding. Hurricane Sandy stands as a stark reminder that these climate-related risks exist today. These risks will increase in the future with climate change, with sea levels projected to rise and the frequency and intensity of coastal storms likely to increase. Among the key initiatives of PlaNYC is increasing the city’s resilience to the effects of climate change, including coastal flood risks – adapting so that the city and its neighborhoods can withstand and recover quickly from weather-related events.

Prior to Hurricane Sandy, DCP was actively engaged in several initiatives to increase the city’s climate resilience, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office and other City agencies. Following the storm, DCP will continue to carry out these projects and to integrate climate resilience as a key consideration in agency activities. Information on current DCP initiatives and recent projects is available below.   

Flood Resilience Zoning Text Amendment
Following Hurricane Sandy, the City is taking a wide range of steps to promote recovery from the storm, rebuilding, and increasing the city’s resilience to climate-related events, including coastal flooding and storm surge. As part of this effort, the Department of City Planning is proposing a Flood Resilience Zoning Text Amendment to enable new and existing buildings throughout designated flood zones to meet the latest standards for flood-resistant construction.  It also removes additional impediments to flood-resistant construction, and modifies regulations to mitigate potential negative effects of flood-resistant construction on the streetscape and public realm.
Mayor Bloomberg Issues Executive Order To Facilitate Flood-Resilient Construction
On January 31, 2013, Mayor Bloomberg issued an Executive Order to temporarily suspend certain provisions of the Zoning Resolution to enable rebuilding to the Advisory Base Flood Elevations released by FEMA, which represent the best currently available information on flood risks. The City also adopted a new rule to increase the required minimum flood proofing elevation so that substantially damaged buildings and new construction are built to withstand greater flood risk. Read the press release Read the Executive Order Read the DOB rule Read Frequently Asked Questions about rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy
Mayor Bloomberg Delivers Address On Shaping New York City's Future After Hurricane Sandy
Watch the video Visit nyc.gov for info on the City's many programs to support recovery .
Presentation by City Planning Director of Sustainability Howard Slatkin to City Planning Commission
December 17, 2012 File contains Commission Audio with Accompanying Slides, followed by full video of Commission discussion
Climate Resilience in Vision 2020: The NYC Comprehensive Waterfront Plan
Released on March 14, 2011, Vision 2020 is the culmination of a year-long, participatory planning process involving multiple agencies and organizations and input from New Yorkers in every borough. Building on the City's success in opening up to the public miles of shoreline that had been inaccessible for decades, and supporting expansion of the maritime industry, Vision 2020 sets the stage for expanded use of our waterfront for parks, housing and economic development, and our waterways for transportation, recreation and natural habitats. The 10-year plan lays out a vision for the future with new citywide policies and site-specific recommendations. Chapter 8 outlines the city’s policy of identifying and pursuing strategies to increase the city’s resilience to climate change and sea level rise.
Waterfront Revitalization Program The Department of City Planning is proposing a series of revisions to the Waterfront Revitalization Program (WRP) in order to proactively advance the long-term goals laid out in Vision 2020: The New York City Comprehensive Waterfront Plan, released in 2011. The WRP is the City’s primary coastal zone management tool, and the proposed revisions, currently undergoing public review, emphasize sustainability and climate resilience planning, promote a range of ecological objectives and strategies, facilitate interagency review of permitting to preserve and enhance maritime infrastructure, and support a thriving, sustainable working waterfront. Proposed revisions would incorporate consideration of climate resilience into the review of projects in the coastal area.
Sustainable Communities Climate Resilience
The Department of City Planning, in cooperation with the Mayor’s Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability and with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing Preservation and Development, is undertaking several activities as part of a bi-state consortium to identify strategies to to increase climate resilience.
DCP Green Initiatives New York City is already a green city. DCP is working to make the city even more livable and sustainable, with a healthy environment, a high quality of life, and the ability to weather severe storms and changes in climate. As part of PlaNYC, DCP is helping to achieve the City's 2030 sustainability objectives through a number of green initiatives. These include requirements for street tree planting and landscaping of yards and parking lots, measures to promote alternatives to automobile use such as bicycling and car sharing services, and innovative zoning changes to foster more efficient buildings and rooftop agriculture under the Zone Green initiative.  Read more...